Safety-tank and automatic filler



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B. S. KOLL. SAFETY TANK AND AUTOMATIC FILLER.

No. 339,106. Patented'Mar. 30, 1886.

(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2.

B. S. KOLL. SAFETY TANK AND AUTOMATIC FILLER. No. 339,106. Patented Mar.30, 1886.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

B. S. KOLL. SAFETY TANK AND AUTOMATIC FILLER. No. 339,106. Patented Mar.30, 1886.

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BENJAMIN S. KOLL, OF SALEM, OHIO.

SAFETY-TANK AND AUTOMATIC FILLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 339,106, dated March30, 1886.

Application filed February 25, 1884. Serial No. 121,905.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN S. 11011., a citizen of the United States,residing at Salem, county of Columbiana, State of Ohio, have invented ordiscovered a new and useful Iniprovement in Safety-Tanks and AutomaticFillers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,concise, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in whichlikeletters indicating like partst Figure 1 is a vertical central section ofmy improved safety-tank and filler. Figs. 2 and 3 aresiniilarviews ofamodified form of tank, the filler being removed in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is alike view of another form of tank, and showing a modification of thevalve operating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a top view of the filler, thehandle and valve-operating mechanism being shown in section. Fig. 6 is adetail view, on an enlarged scale, showing the filling-nozzle of thefiller.

My invention relates to tanks or receivers to be used in connection withgasoline-stoves and a filler to be usedin connection with said tank, andthe object of my invention is to so construct and combine the tank andfiller as to avoid all danger of explosion, either in filling the tankor drawing the fluid therefrom; and to this end my invention consists inthe construction and combination ofparts,all as more fully hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

My preferred form of tank, A, consists of the top and bottom parts, 1and 2, made of castiron or other suitable metal, and the sheetmetal side3, secured in any suitable manner with a peripheral recess in the topand bottom parts, 1 and 2.

At one side of the top 1 is formed the opening 4, and in the top aroundthe opening 4 is formed the annular flange 5. Inside of this flange thetop slopes in toward the opening 4, around the edges of which is formedthe recess 6, adapted to receive the flange of the ring 7, one end ofsaid ring being covered by a piece of wire-gauze, 8, to prevent anyflame from passing into the tank.

Within the ring 7 is placed another ring, 9, across which is stretched apiece of chamois- (No model.)

skin, 10, to strain the fluid as it enters the tank A. 1

In the bottom of the tank is formed an opening, 11, intowhich is screwedthe pipeleading to a burner, and the bottom is made to slope from thesides toward the opening 11, in order that all the fluid may escapetherefrom.

Around the flange 5 is secured one end of the sheet-metal cylinder B,which I will term the receiver. The top of this receiver B is providedwith a cast-iron rim or ring, 12, provided with an internal recess, intowhich the end of the cylinder fits, and an external flange or ledge, 13.On the side of the receiver is secured a graduated plate, 14., alongwhich moves pointer 15, attached to a rod, 16, passing through a tube,17, inserted in the top of the tank A, and to the end of the rod withinthe tank is secured afloat, 18. By this device the quantity of fluidwithin the tank can be readily ascertained.

As both the tank and receiver may occasionally be filled, it isnecessary that the tube 17 should be extended to a height equal to thatof the receiver, and in that case the upper end of the rod is bent so asto bring the pointer into proximity to the graduated plate. The ends ofthe tube 17 should be provided with stuffing-boxes,or other suitabledevices, to prevent any flame from passing down the tube and the escapeof any gas therefrom.

Within the receiver B is placed the filler D, which consists ofcast-iron top and bottom plates, 19 and 20, each provided with flanges21 and 22, having a peripheral recess to receive the ends of thesheet-metal cylinder 23, forming the sides of the filler. The bottomplate, 20, is internally dished,and is provided with a screw-threadedsocket, 2 1, in its center, into which is screwed the perforated plug25, the inner end of said plug being constructed to form a seat for avalve, as hereinafter described. The top plate, 19, is extendedcircumferentially beyond the flange 21, said extension being providedwith a flange, 26, parallel with the flange 21, and adapted to rest onthe flange 13 when the filler is placed in the receiver. A rubber gasketmay be placed on the flange 13, so as to pack the joint between it andthe flange 26.

In the top plate, 19, at one side of its center, is formed the recess27, having sloping sides and provided with the filling-nozzle 28, whichis stopped by the stopper or plug 29.

On the top plate, 19, is secured the cast-iron case E, for-inclosing thevalve-operating mechanism, and having the handle 30 formed integraltherewith, for lifting and conveying the filler. At the ends of the caseE are arranged the sliding bolts 31, having their lower ends projectingdown through openings in the top plate, 19, between the flanges 21 and26. These bolts are guided during their vertical movements by pins 32,which pass through slots 33 in the bolts and are secured to the sides of:the case E.

In theinner edges of each bolt 31 is formed-the recess 34. In to theserecesses fit the correspondingly-shaped ends 35 of the levers 36,pivoted on the pins 37, secured in the sides of the case. The oppositeends, 38, of these levers, similar in shape to the ends 35, fit intorecesses 41in the ends of the levers 39, pivoted in pins '40, securedsimilarly to the pins 37. The opposite ends, 42, of these levers arereduced and rounded to fit into correspondingly-shaped recesses 43,formed in each end of the block 44.

Through a vertical opening in the block 44 passes the reduced end of therod 45, which is secured in said block by a pin or screw, 46.

On the reduced end of the rod 45, projecting above the block 44, isplaced the spring 47, whose ends bear against the block 44 and the topof the case, and (end to force the block and rod down. This rod 45extends through a hole in the top plate down to the bottom of thefiller, its lower end being provided with a valve, 48, adapted to fitthe seat in the plug 25. This valve is attached to the rod by aball-and-socket joint, 50, and is provided on its lower side with aguide-stem, 49, to insure its exact seating on the plug 25.

On the bottom plate, 20, are formed the rimlegs 70, to support thefiller when removed from the receiver.

In Fig. 4 the tank and receiver areshown arranged one above the other ina long cylindrical vessel, F, of uniform size, having a flangedconcave-convex bottom plate, 52, and a cast-iron top ring similar inshape and construction to the ring 12.

Within the vessel F, about midway of its length, is secured the ring 53,on which rests the ring 54, to the opposite edges of which are securedthe wire-gauze and chamois-skin diaphragms 8 and 10. Within thiscylindrical vessel is used a filler similar in construction andoperation to the filler D; but in place of the indicator above describedI use the ordinary glass gage, 55, connected at its upper and lower endsto the tank. Within the glass tube of the gage is placed ball 56, ofpith or other buoyant material, and to the tank, within the range of thepith ball 56, is secured the graduated plate 14.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the tank and receiver are combined, forming a vessel,H, only slightly by inclined planes 6?.

longer than the receiver shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Within this combinedtank and receiver is arranged a movable diaphragm or piston, 57, concaveon its upper surface, and provided with a central aperture, 58, acrosswhich is placed a piece of wire-gauze. This piston 57 is normally heldin an elevated position (shown in Fig. 3) by the spring 59, secured atone end to the bottom of the vessel. The registering device of thisvessel issimilar in some respects to that shown in Fig. 1; but in placeof arranging the float within the tank it isplaced in a tube, 60,connected at its lower end to the tank by the pipe 61. In all otherrespects the register is constructed and operated like the one describedin connection with Fig. 1. When the fillerD is placed within the vesselH, it depresses the piston 57, as shown in Fig. 2; but when the filleris removed the spring forces and holds the piston above the level of thefluid therein, thus protecting it against any flame that may be broughtnear the tank.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of valve operating mechanism,constructed as follows: On top of the sliding bolts 31 is placed thespring 62, having a downward tension. The levers 36 are given abell-crank shape, and between the levers 36 and the levers 39 isarranged a slide, 63, supported and guided I by the pin 64, passingthrough the slot 65. These slides are connected to the levers 36 by ajoint similar to that connecting the levers 39 and 36 in Fig. 1, and areprovided on their upper edges with the straight portions 66, ar-

ranged in different planes vertically connected The outer ends of thelevers 39 are provided with the projections 68,

which rest upon the upper edges of the slides 63, as shown. The innerends of these levers are connected to the block 44 in a manner similarto that shown in Fig. 1, and this block attached to the rod 45 by ascrew or pin, 46, as above described. The outer ends of the levers 39are held against the slides 63 by the springs 69, as shown.

The tank above described is placed on a shelf or support in convenientproximity to the burners which it is desired to use, and connectedthereto by a pipe leading from the bottom of the tank. Then thefiller,having been filled with fluid through the nozzle 28,is placed inthe receiver, as shown, the upper edge of the ring 12 extending betweenthe flanges 21 and 26, strikes against the bolts 31, which project ashort distance into the recess between the flanges, thereby causing themto rise. These bolts in moving up operate the levers 36, and these inturn operate the levers 39,aud their inner ends raise the block 44against the tension of the spring 47. This block carries with it the rod45, to which the valve 48 is attached,thereby unseating saidvalve andallowing the fluid to escape into the receiver, where it passes into thetank or pipe leading to the burners through the gauze and chamoisdiaphragms. When the filler is removed from the receiver, the motion ofthe valve-operating mechanism is reversed, and the valve is light- 1yheld against its seat, and the filler can be carried to any place whereit can be filled.

The operation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that abovedescribed, with the exception that the levers 36 move the slides 63,andthey in turn operate the levers 39. The efl'ect in both forms ofconstruction is the same. It will be seen that in using my device allexposure of the gasoline when in proximity to the flames is avoided, thewire-gauze protecting the fluid in the tank or receiver when the filleris in use.

In the forms of tank and receiver shown in Figs. 1 and 4 I may, afterhaving emptiedthe filler into the tank, remove the filler and again fillit and replace it in the receiver.

Although I haveshown several forms of tank and receiver, I prefer to usethe form shown in Fig. 1, as that form is lower andhasabroader base, andis therefore less apt to be upset.

I claim herein as my invention- 1. A storage-tank having, incombination, a reservoir for holding the liquid, a receiver for holdinga fillingvessel while being emptied, and a diaphragm composed ofwire-gauze and chamois-skin, substantially as set forth.

2. A combined reservoir and receiver, in combination with a diaphragmcomposed of gauze and chamois-skin and a spring, substantially as setforth.

3. A storage-tank consisting of a reservoir and receiver open at thetop, in combination with a filling-vessel having asuitable outlet, avalve for closing said outlet, and a slide or bolt mounted at the top ofthe filling-vessel with its lower end in line with the upper edge of thereceiver, and connections between the slide and valve, whereby the valvewill be operated when the filling-vessel is placed on or within thereceiver, substantially as set forth.

4. A storage-tank consisting of a reservoir and receiver, in combinationwith a filling-vessel having a suitable outlet, avalve for closing saidoutlet, a rod movably attached to the valve and provided at its upperend with block, system of articulated levers, and sliding bolts,substantially as described.

5. A storage-tank consisting of a reservoir and a receiving-chamberhaving the ring 12, with its upper edge projecting from the upper partof said chamber, in combination with a filler, D, having an outlet inits bottom, valve a8,spri rig-actuated rod 45,aslide or bolt mounted atthe top of the filler, with one end inline with the upper edge of ring12, and connections to rod 45, whereby the slide wil engage the ring andoperate the valve when the filler is placed within the receiver,substantially as set forth.

6. A storage-tank consisting of a reservoir and receiver having the rim12, in combination with a filler having a suitable outlet, the valve 48,rod 45, movably connected with the valve, the block 44, levers 39 and36, and bolts 31, said block, levers, and bolts being pivotallyconnected, as described, and the spring 47, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

BENJAMIN S. KOLL.

Witnesses:

J. SNowDEN BELL, R. H. WHrrTLEsEY.

